We seek to bring the frontier of space fully within the sphere of human
activity to build a better future for all humankind. Imagine new products based
on space research, such as high-quality protein crystals to allow the design of
new drugs for treating disease. Envision school children learning their lessons
by telepresence instruction from the Moon. Imagine commerce flourishing in space,
with solar power satellites, or a Martian powerplant to permit a permanent
colony. These images are part of the Human Exploration and Development of Space
(HEDS) Enterprise. The mission of the Enterprise is to open the space frontier by
exploring, using, and enabling the development of space and to expand the human
experience into the far reaches of space.

In exploring space, HEDS brings people and machines together to overcome
challenges of distance, time, and environment. Robotic science missions
survey and characterize other bodies as precursors to eventual human missions.
The Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) serve as research
platforms to pave the way for sustained human presence in space through critical
research on human adaptation. These programs also provide opportunities for
research with applications on Earth. HEDS serves as a catalyst for commercial
space development. We will employ breakthrough technologies to revolutionize
human space flight.

Phase I of the International Space Station icludes nine docking missions
by the Space Shuttle to the Russian Mir space station.

Questions to Address

HEDS pursues the answers to myriad research and engineering questions that
must be answered as we learn to live and work in space. HEDS plays an important
role in pursuing answers to the questions: What is the fundamental role of
gravity and cosmic radiation in vital biological, physical, and chemical systems
in space, on other planetary bodies, and on Earth, and how do we apply this
fundamental knowledge to the establishment of permanent human presence in space
to improve life on Earth? HEDS also plays an important role working with the
other Enterprises to pursue answers to other fundamental questions, including:
Does life exist elsewhere than on our planet?

Goals

The goals of the HEDS Enterprise are as follows:

Prepare to conduct human missions of exploration to planetary and
other bodies in the solar system;

Use the environment of space to expand scientific knowledge;

Provide safe and affordable human access to space, establish a human
presence in space, and share the human experience of being in space;

Enable the commercial development of space and share HEDS knowledge,
technologies, and assets that promise to enhance the quality of life on Earth.

Strategies and Outcomes

The Enterprise will contribute new scientific knowledge by studying the
effects of gravity and the space environment on important biological, chemical,
and physical processes. This knowledge will provide fundamental insights for new
Earth-bound applications and technology. We will continue to develop biomedical
knowledge and technology to allow people to thrive physically and psychologically
while exploring and opening the space frontier.

The Enterprise relies on the robotic missions of the Space Science Enterprise
to provide extensive knowledge of the geology, environment, and resources of
planetary bodies. The Space Science Enterprise missions will also demonstrate the
feasibility of utilizing local resources to "live off the land." HEDS will fully
integrate and utilize the ISS, the Space Shuttle, and other international
contributions. The Shuttle-Mir program demonstrates cooperation among spacefaring
nations and the interlocking of various technical systems. The ISS will be the
largest multinational science and engineering program in history and will vastly
expand the human experience of living and working in space. This long-duration
laboratory will provide unprecedented opportunities for science, technology, and
commercial investigations in the space environment.

We will conduct research and technology development for advanced life support
systems, which will be validated on the ISS. We will develop revolutionary
advanced technologies that will support future national decisions regarding human
missions beyond Earth orbit. HEDS will join with the private sector to stimulate
opportunities for commercial development in space as a key to future settlement.
Near-term efforts will emphasize joint pilot projects that provide clear benefit
to Earth from the development of near-Earth space, while the long-term emphasis
will be on the use of resources and environments of planetary bodies for the
benefit of humankind and to sustain a human presence beyond Earth.

Artists concept of a potential Mars mission. Here, the crew has connected
two habitats together to conduct a variety of surface exploration
activities.

Safe, reliable, low-cost transportation is critical to the goals of the HEDS
Enterprise. The Space Shuttle program is committed to flying safely, meeting the
manifest, improving system supportability and reliability, and reducing costin
that order of priority. HEDS is implementing the Shuttle upgrade program to
improve reliability, performance, and longevity of Space Shuttle operations to
meet ISS needs and human exploration goals beyond 2012. HEDS will support efforts
by the private sector to develop next-generation technologies for human travel
and operations in space. We will develop revolutionary new advanced
transportation concepts for accommodating humans, including travel to distant
destinations. The Agency's efforts will provide space operations management and
communications services through commercial means while setting the stage for
future investments that will be required as we explore the solar system and
beyond.

HEDS employs a strategy that contributes to the national community, shapes
activities to return near-term direct benefits, and clearly communicates these
benefits to the Enterprise's partners and customers, including the public.

Roles and Responsibilities

The NASA Centers' primary missions to support the HEDS Enterprise are listed
in the table below.

Center

Mission

Ames Research Center

Astrobiology

Johnson Space Center

Human Exploration and Astro Materials

Kennedy Space Center

Space Launch

Marshall Spac Flight Center

Space Transportation Systems and Microgravity Research

Stennis Space Center

Rocket Propulsion Testing

Web Design: Pamela Sams
Last Updated: October 30, 1997
For more information contact Gary Steinberg,Office of Policy and Plans.